With brand new features like the Jitter brushes and perspective tools, we’re pretty sure that, along with improvements to organization and workflow, plugin support for Painter X3 will expand beyond the launch period.

For now, at least, we’ll share with you some awesome plugins that are compatible with Painter and are well worth checking out. As with all other plugins, it’s always wise to test out a demo to ensure your setup is fully compatible, especially when 32- and 64-bit variants are available.

One of the many benefits of online art communities like deviantART is that there are a lot of individuals that create awesome plugins that can really make a difference to artists with similar needs. Kayleefuzzyhat, for example, devised this really useful and free-to-use swatch library that mimics the qualities and hues achieved with Copic marker pens, which are quite popular among manga and comic artists. Although this tool is created for Painter 12, it should work well with X3. It’s a must-have for getting that authentic manga look.

Although the main purpose of Glitterato is to create glittery nebula effects fit for any sci-fi piece, a lot of digital artists use this tool to create dispersed light effects to add extra texture and atmospheric detail like dust flecks or surface freckles. Glitterato can be very handy when constructing a concentrated light source such as a spotlight or sunrise, as your desired lighting effect can be customized to meet your needs and preferences.

If your filters aren’t quite achieving the desired effect, creating one to suit your needs may be a better option. That’s exactly what you’ll get with Filter Forge, as it contains all the tools you need to achieve your desired filter effect and function. Some of its key features include a node-based editing system, high-resolution render support, and smooth-tilting for rounded surfaces. The filters can be shared among users too, with an ever-increasing gallery packed with custom creations for you to choose from.

A lot of Painter users find the sketchy results created in Fractalius as a useful addition to their creative process, thanks to the added imagery generated by reading the fractal patterns within the source image. When combined to a detailed sketch, the results could present an interesting additional element to line work or object definition, especially with further editing. Apart from sketch effects, fractal imagery can also take the form of glowing light paths, creating some interesting results when paired with distinctive textures.

One of the best qualities of Painter is its ability to digitally replicate the organic textures created with paint, especially when experimenting with oils or acrylics. When combined with a tool like Texture Anarchy, the potential for images packed with depth is further enhanced. This tool allows users to generate rich textures that can be seamlessly integrated into artwork, with additional scope for lighting, color gradients, and even layer configurations to further improve the quality of your textures.

Earlier this year, the entire collection of Nik Software plugins was made available to purchase as one single package rather than forking out a small fortune for individual tools. Don’t be put off by its price tag, though, because you’re surely getting more than your money’s worth with this awesome collection. Painter users should definitely try Viveza for its ability to adjust color tones without the need for masks, while Color Efex Pro offers a wide array of customizable filter for color effects and enhancements.

So you’ve created a jungle scene, laid out your block colors and started rendering happily when all of a sudden, you realize you have no idea how to get your animals’ skin textures looking realistic!

Don’t fret, though, because with Eye Candy, you can create amazing and realistic texture effects that would otherwise be hard to create in conventional design software, such as fur, smoke, and fire. The end results can be refined and tweaked further by customization, so don’t be fooled by initial preview results.